Joyce Kilmer Quotes
December 6, 1886 – 30 July 1918
More Joyce Kilmer Quotes
I think that I shall never see A poem lovelyas a tree.
Joyce Kilmer— 1914 'Trees'.
At present, I am a poet trying to be a soldier. To tell the truth, I am not interested in writing nowadays, except in so far as writing is the expression of something beautiful ... The only sort of book I care to write about the war is the sort people will read after the war is over — a century after it is over.
Joyce Kilmer— A letter home, included in Joyce Kilmer, Poems, Essays and Letters (1918) Edited by Robert Holliday
In a wood they call the Rouge Bouquet,There is a new-made grave today,Built by never a spade nor pick,Yet covered with earth ten meteres thick.There lie many fighting men.Dead in their youthful primeNever to laugh nor love againNor taste the Summertime.
Joyce Kilmer— "Rouge Bouquet" (1918)
I think that I shall never seeA poem lovely as a tree.A tree whose hungry mouth is prestAgainst the earth's sweet flowing breast;A tree that looks at God all day,And lifts her leafy arms to pray;A tree that may in Summer wearA nest of robins in her hair;Upon whose bosom snow has lain;Who intimately lives with rain.Poems are made by fools like me,But only God can make a tree.
Joyce Kilmer— "Trees" - This poem was first published in Poetry: A Magazine of Verse Vol. 2 (August 1913). The first two lines were first written down on the 2nd of February 1913.
There is no strange and distant placeThat is not gladdened by His face.And every nation kneels to hailThe Splendour shining through Its veil.
Joyce Kilmer— "Citizen of the World"
I have no vision of gods, not of Eros with love-arrows laden,Jupiter thundering death or of Juno his white-breasted queen,Yet have I seenAll of the joy of the world in the innocent heart of a maiden.
Joyce Kilmer— "Vision"
God be thanked for the Milky Way that runs across the sky,That's the path that my feet would tread whenever I have to die.Some folks call it a Silver Sword, and some a Pearly Crown,But the only thing I think it is, is Main Street, Heaventown.
Joyce Kilmer— "Main Street"
There is no rope can strangle songAnd not for long death takes his toll.No prison bars can dim the starsNor quicklime eat the living soul.
Joyce Kilmer— "Easter Week"
God be thanked for the Milky Way that runs across the sky. That's the path that my feet would tread whenever I have to die. Some folks call it a Silver Sword, and some a Pearly Crown, But the only thing I think it is, is Main Street, Heaventown.
Joyce Kilmer— Joyce Kilmer, Main Street.
I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. … Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.
Joyce Kilmer— Joyce Kilmer, Trees (August 1913).
In a wood they call the Rouge Bouquet, There is a new-made grave today, Built by never a spade nor pick, Yet covered with earth ten meters thick. There lie many fighting men, Dead in their youthful prime.
Joyce Kilmer— Joyce Kilmer, Rouge Bouquet.
I think that I shall never scan A tree as lovely as a man. * * * * A tree depicts divinest plan, But God himself lives in a man.
Joyce Kilmer— Joyce Kilmer, Trees.
I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. * * * * Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.
Joyce Kilmer— Joyce Kilmer, Trees.
I think that I shall never see/ A poem lovely as a tree.
Joyce Kilmer— Joyce Kilmer, Trees and Other Poems (1914).
